Quinta de Soalheiro

We were both surprised and delighted to be approached by Quinta de Soalheiro to take on their wines, adding another exceptional producer to our portfolio.

Since 1974, when João António Cerdeira was a pioneer by planting the first continuous vineyard of Alvarinho in Melgaço, Soalheiro has been a symbol of dedication to excellence in viticulture in the region. The vineyard, situated on a family plot with excellent sun exposure, inspired the name “Soalheiro,” symbolising the strong connection to the sun and the terroir that characterise its wines. Still a family-owned company, the farming at Soalheiro is carried out with a strong commitment to sustainability and the increase of organic practices, reflecting a long-term vision for both the health of the vines and the preservation of regional identity.

Today, in the second generation, the family continues to honour this legacy, investing in innovation and the preservation of the territory’s vinicultural heritage. Soalheiro’s product range reflects the diversity and quality of the local terroirs, showcasing various expressions of Alvarinho, from the classic, mineral, and citrus style that put the winery on the map, to single-vineyard bottles, sparkling wines, and more textured cuvées aged on lees. Throughout the portfolio, there is a clear signature style.

Alvarinho Clássico is the family’s first wine from 1982 and remains a benchmark single varietal with aromatic freshness, intense flavour, and remarkable bottle evolution suited to any occasion.

ALLO, a playful nod that blends the initials of Alvarinho and Loureiro, is a wine from northern Portugal where floral Loureiro (70%) meets the structure of Alvarinho, balancing lighthearted charm with serious character.

Primeiras Vinhas Alvarinho is an Alvarinho rooted in Soalheiro’s original 1974 vineyard and enriched with hand-harvested fruit from over 30-year-old vines across Monção and Melgaço, uniting generations of growers while preserving the region’s viticultural heritage. Granit Alvarinho, true to its name, emphasizes minerality over fruit, with high acidity and crisp elegance that reveal a unique mountain expression of Alvarinho, making it an exceptionally gastronomic wine. 9% Alvarinho is a low-alcohol Alvarinho that balances residual sugar with lively acidity, showcasing the Territory’s ability to craft natural, youthful sweet wines without over-ripening, inspired by Mosel Riesling but with Alvarinho’s signature character from Melgaço.

Pet Nat Alvarinho is a lightly sparkling youthful wine made with minimal intervention using the ancestral method bottled before fermentation ends without dégorgement or added sugar showcasing the versatility of the Alvarinho grape. Espumante Bruto Alvarinho, the family’s first sparkling wine from 1995 and the region’s original 100% Alvarinho fizz, is made by the classic method with in-bottle secondary fermentation, delivering fresh purity, aromatic elegance, and varietal complexity. Espumante Bruto Rosé emerged from exploring Touriga Nacional in Monção and Melgaço, where the grape thrives as a rosé; blended with Alvarinho and Pinot Noir, it becomes a light, fresh, and expressive sparkling wine that reflects the territory’s unique character.

Terramatter Alvarinho (Organic), crafted with minimal intervention and early harvest, is a bold expression of the land, intense, aromatic, and complex, partially aged in chestnut barrels, with fine lees that benefit from gentle shaking to reveal its distinctive personality. Revirado Alvarinho is an Alvarinho from the mountain slopes of Portugal’s northernmost territory, fermented and aged on altitude lees in spinning barrels, offering an experience best discovered in the glass.

https://soalheiro.com